PHILADELPHIA – A Pennsylvania federal court has dismissed American Overseas Marine Corp. and General Dynamic Corp. from a benzene exposure suit, concluding that the defendants’ relationship with the government provides the companies with a colorable federal immunity defense.

In the April 7 opinion, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania found that the plaintiffs had no recourse against the two defendants and that they only may seek damages from the United States Government.

The plaintiffs contended in their complaint that Rudolph Johnson’s work as a mechanic and seaman on several U.S. navigation vessels required him to ...